Go to page

Go to page

Just received my copy of Attkisson's book on the mechanisms and intent of fake news.

My intention is to identify and discuss the mechanisms and worst practices of this now established industry.

I know she'll do a thorough job. The idea of this thread is not to blame one party or one ideological side, but to fully understand how
the news industry, along with social media, astroturf (fake grass roots), accusation based movements and others are being used to destroy opponents and influence the public.

Anyone interested in the mechanisms and worst practices (not which party or which news outlets are the worst offenders) is welcome to post your views as I read the book.

My assumption is that these mechanisms will be used by both parties and many countries if they are effective.

My guess is that the Russians used many of these mechanisms in the 2016 election.

Transactional journalism refers to the “friendly, mutually beneficial relationships that have developed between reporters and those on whom they report. It’s when the relationships cross a line.” Falling into that category are some political pundits. Take for example CNN’s Donna Brazile, a Democratic party operative, who secretly slipped Hillary Clinton an advance question for a CNN town hall with Bernie Sanders. Attkisson noted, “We are not keeping an adequate firewall, giving the very people access to the newsroom who are trying to sway our opinion and shape news coverage. I am often not sure what these pundits on both sides add, besides propaganda talking points. This is part of what I call the soft ‘infiltration’ of the news media. We haven’t done a good job at staying at arms length from the interests who seek to use us as tools.”

I agree that journalists and politicians are too close. They tend to live in the same neighborhoods, their kids attend the same schools, they go to the same parties, etc. But I don't think it causes them to have a political bias. I think it causes them to have a class bias. The news media in general, there are exceptions, have ignored the causes of income inequality and the development of an oligarchy here in the US.

Political Hotwire

Founded in 2005, Political Hotwire is a political forum to discuss current events, world news, and political topics. We welcome all political ideologies to discuss all political issues from civil rights to business and industry.